Rio del Mar Elementary

(831)688-2053

404 Students

Elementary School K - 6th

School Overview

Rio del Mar Elementary School, located in the coastal community of Aptos, California, is a public school serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade as part of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District. The school is known for its strong sense of community and its commitment to fostering a supportive, student-centered learning environment. Nestled near the Santa Cruz coastline, the campus emphasizes a well-rounded curriculum that focuses on core academic subjects while encouraging social-emotional growth and the development of responsible, lifelong learners.

The school benefits from a high level of parent and community involvement, which supports a variety of enrichment activities and programs that extend beyond the standard classroom experience. By prioritizing collaboration between staff, families, and students, Rio del Mar strives to maintain a safe and inclusive atmosphere where diversity is respected and every child is encouraged to reach their full potential. The school’s location and culture reflect the unique character of the Aptos area, making it a focal point for families in the neighborhood.

404

Total Students

17.5

Full-Time Teachers

23.1

Student/Teacher Ratio

21.5%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Rio del Mar Elementary
Demographic	Student Count
White	258
Hispanic	90
Black	4
Asian	14
Two or More	36
American Indian	2

White
258 (63.9 %)
Hispanic
90 (22.3 %)
Two or More
36 (8.9 %)
Asian
14 (3.5 %)
Black
4 (1.0 %)
American Indian
2 (0.5 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	N/A
District:	Pajaro Valley Unified
Phone:	(831)688-2053
Grade Range:	K - 6th
Total Students:	404
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	17.5
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	23.1
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	65
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	22

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 43

Grade 1 52

Grade 2 50

Grade 3 59

Grade 4 67

Grade 5 59

Grade 6 74